It's not easily possible because Stalingrad derives its strategic importance from it's position on the Volga river and it's rail connections between the Russian heartland and the Caucaus region. In order to reach these connections the German army had already formed a salient with an exposed northern flank. see this campaign map https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Eastern_Front_1942-05_to_1942-11.png

In attempting to surround and bypass Stalingrad, the German's would have the problem of a large, opposed river crossing, as well as their existing problems of extended supply lines and exposed flanks.

Sorry, but your submission has been removed because we don't allow hypothetical questions. If possible, please feel free to rephrase the question so that it does not call for such speculation, and resubmit Otherwise, this sort of thing is better suited for /r/HistoryWhatIf.

Sorry, but your submission has been removed because we don't allow hypothetical questions. If possible, please feel free to rephrase the question so that it does not call for such speculation, and resubmit Otherwise, this sort of thing is better suited for /r/HistoryWhatIf.